Does any one know if this vehicle will be trail rated? I read an article that said it was built on the Dodge Caliber platform. That's a car and not a truck. If that's true, how can you get it down the Rubicon? It also sounds a lot like my current vehicle, the Honda CR-V.:confused:

"Jeep Patriot not only looks like a Jeep, but all-new Jeep off-road technology would ensure Jeep Patriot could be a Trail Rated 4x4, which would make it the most capable vehicle in its class."

http://www.jeep.com/jeep_life/news/jeep/patriot_compass.html


Sign up here for updates:

http://www.jeep.com/signup/?hr=patriot&src=patriot


You likely won't find out much more for another two weeks (Wednesday, April 12th is the first day of the press preview for the New York Auto Show)

"Undisclosed is information about its drivetrain, but Jeep refutes that the Patriot is good enough to not only make it best in class against the likes of cute 'utes but also strong and rugged enough for its revered "Trail Rated" designation, unlike its Compass twin. Because the Patriot is based on the same platform as the Caliber, which will be available with all-wheel drive when it goes on sale, it's suspected that an advanced version of the Caliber's drivetrain is incorporated. While no transfer case would be offered if made available, an electronically adjustable unit (without a conventional low-range) similar to the system in Land Rover's Freelander may be used."

http://www.carpages.ca/go/conceptcars/2005_jeep_patriot_concept.aspx

Thanks for the research. I want one. If they make this vehicle in this configuration, sign me up. Did you find any shots of the interior? I could start going on Jeep Jamborees with this vehicle. My Grand Cherokee is only a two wheel drive, but it's been one of the best vehicles I've ever owned. :)

As far as I know, nobody outside of Daimler-Chrysler has seen the Jeep Patriot since the Frankfurt Auto Show in August of 2005. I haven't seen any interior shots from Frankfurt. And based on the changes that occured with the Compass at it's re-unveiling at the Detroit Auto Show in January 2006, it could look substantially different than Frankfurt's original design (interior and exterior). I saw the spy shots of the Compass going through a snowbank a couple months ago, but that's about all I have seen.

Hopefully will have gotten the kinks out of the Patriot prior to the New York Auto Show. I hope that D-C gets rid of the moving parts (i.e. the sliding armrest between the driver and passenger seats and the fold-down optional speakers in the tailgate, which you need to get in the Compass in order to get the Premium Speaker package).

http://www.edmunds.com/news/autoshow/articles/107049/page006.html

"Despite Creed's caginess, other Chrysler sources confirmed for Inside Line the existence of plans to produce the Patriot in some form, telling us that the little four-door 'ute would be in showrooms before the end of next year (most likely mid-to-late year). It's the worst-kept secret that the Patriot/Compass will most probably be based on the forthcoming Dodge Caliber platform, which means front-drive and all-wheel-drive versions.

Engines and interior details are still anybody's guess."

:p

The key word in this release is "could" be trail rated. It doesn't say it "will" be trail rated. I'm hoping for a stronger suspension and a low range, but as someone else noted, we won't find out for another two weeks or so. Heck, it could be that this vehicle WON'T be unveiled. It seems to me that there is a lack of "rumors" with the Patriot as compared to the Compass' release.

"We'll be announcing the new Jeep Patriot, and it will have Trail Rated capability."
Mike Berube, Senior Manager Jeep Marketing


Start the countdown to New York...

It would be almost like suicide to not introduce the Patriot at the New York Auto Show if Chrysler is planning on selling any Patriots this year (around October?).

whoops, forgot the link to senior jeep manager's comments

http://www.autospies.com/article/index.asp?articleId=6960&offSite=rss

Yup, with Freedom Drive II, it is trail rated and gets the badge to prove it. I am liking this already!

http://www.topspeed.com/cars/jeep/jeep_patriot-ar2775.html

Some short videos, with shots of the interior. Enjoy.